IN THE FIRST PLACE Definition & Meaning

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in the first place

As the first of several items in order of importance. This phrase is usually accompanied by in the second place, third place , and so on, as in I'm not joining the health club because, in the first place, I don't like their hours, and in the second place, I can't afford the dues . [First half of 1600s] Also see for one .
From the beginning, at the outset, before anything else. For example, Why didn't you tell me in the first place that you've decided to leave? or He could have bought a new one in the first place .

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Example Sentences

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One, it reduces the number of land owners who want to sell in the first place, thus limiting opportunities to build.

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“That’s why this whole situation started in the first place, right?”

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A survivor of child sexual exploitation, Lucia Rea, told GB News government backtracking was a "betrayal" of survivors hoping for justice and undermined the "very little" trust there was in the first place.

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Before diving into solutions, though, it’s important to understand what’s pushing workers towards change in the first place.

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But as that search begins, many will question whether the sacking of Martin was a mistake in the first place?

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